Shoulder-brace



( No Model.)

J. TOWN. SHOULDER BRACE- No. 472,086. Patented Apr. 5, 1892.

vWITN ESS ES m: unnms yams 20., mowumm, maximum, 0, c.

UNITED STATES- PATENT OFFICE.

JANE TOWN, OF DEKORRA, WISCONSIN.

SHOULDER-BRACE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. $72,086, dated April 5, 1892. Application filed September 26, 1891- Serial No. 406,950- (No model.

To all whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, JANE TOWN, acitizen of the United States, residing at Dekorra,in the county of Columbia and State of Wisconsin, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Shoulder-Braces and Chest- Expanders; and I do hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, and to the letters of reference marked thereon, which form a part of this specification.

Figure 1 is a rear view of a shoulder-brace embodying my invention. Fig. 2 is a front view of the same with one sleeve unlaced and 0 en.

Myinvention relates to an improvement in shoulder-braces and chest-expanders; and it consists in the arrangement and construction of the various parts of the same, as will be hereinafter described, and specifically pointed out in the claims.

The object of my invention is to provide a shoulder-brace that will be easy to the wearer and that will induce a permanent enlargement of the chest, thus counteracting the bad influences resulting from the'habit of stooping shoulders and contracted chest.

Aand A represent the two sides of the back portion of my invention. They are made one right and the other left'and securely fastened at their lower parts to a waistband or bridging-belt B, provided with buttons 9 g, to which the underskirts may be hung, to act as acountor-weight to the tendency to lean forward and contract the chest. The upper portion of each part AA. is hollowed out to form the neck D. The two contiguous sides of the back pieces are set wider apart at their neck portion, as shown in both figures, and are strengthened by sewing near their edges a strip of whalebone in the usual manner of constructing corset-s, and are provided with eyeletholes 01 clfor the reception of lacing e for the purpose of regulating the tension upon the shoulder-blades. Each partA A is provided with abroad shoulder-band O C, respectively. Said bands fit well up on theshoulders, so as to embrace the shoulder and collar blades with a uniform pressure at all times. Bands 0 O are open on the breast portion and sidewise adj ustably secured together by means of eyelets a and a and laces b. Thelower breast portions of bands 0 C are padded, as shown by lines of stitching E in Fig. 2.

Belt B is provided with a buckle e.

In using my improved shoulder-supporter and chest-expander I first adjust its shoulder-bands, lacings, and belt to suit the wearer, then I loosen the lacing at the back so as to be comfortable, and tighten the lacing a little every few days, thus bracing the shoulders with increasing firmness and expanding the chest, as desired.

I am aware that shoulder-braces have been made with a back in one piece of flexible material provided with shoulder-straps buttoned in place. I lay no claim to this construction; neither do I claim padding as any part of my invention.

What I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

A shoulder-brace consisting of two like back-pieces united by lacings and having a belt secured to the lower ends thereof, bridging the opening between them and also having broad shoulder-bands secured thereto, said shoulder-bands being provided with adj ustable fastenings in their front portions, as and for the purpose set forth.

In testimony whereof I affix mysignature in presence of two witnesses.

' JANE TOWN.

Witnesses:

J. J. GUPPEY, R. O. CUsHINc. 

